Technology

What it does: Provides employers, insurance carriers, consumers, and brokers with cloud-based software to shop, enroll, manage, and exchange benefits information. Its clients include small, medium, and large employers from all industries, as well as the nation’s top insurance companies.

Factoid: Benefitfocus became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ Stock Market in September 2013.

What it does: Provides software and services for nonprofits and education communities, with products focusing on fundraising, prospect research, fund accounting, school administration, ticketing, website management, analytics, and more.

Factoid: In 2014, Blackbaud acquired New Hampshire software firm WhippleHill Communications for $35 million, followed several months later by the acquisition of New York technology business MicroEdge, LLC for $160 million. Since going public in 2004, Blackbaud has made acquisitions totaling more than $455 million.

What it does: A web-based software company that offers an online sales and marketing system for real estate professionals. The system includes a customized real estate website integrated with local MLS data, personalized online advertising and digital marketing services, a dedicated “Client Success Manager,” and a cutting-edge CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) with marketing automation.

Factoid: To date, the company has generated nearly 10 million potential customers for its clients.

What it does: Provides expertise in information operations, cyber-security, and logistics support services for combat systems and intelligence or surveillance operations

Factoid: In 2014, ISHPI Information Technologies, Inc. (DBA ISHPI) was named the 10th best-performing large company in South Carolina by SC BIZ News and CertusBank at the annual “Roaring Twenties Awards” ceremony—the firm’s third consecutive year making the list that distinguishes the state’s best-performing companies (20 large companies and 20 small), based on monetary and percentage increases in revenue from the prior two years.

What it does: Provides cyber-crime protection and intelligence services that reduce the risk of phishing, malware, and other cyber attacks. It offers a fixed-price subscription model and partners with businesses to decrease attacks, reduce online fraud, and prevent the loss of customer trust.

Factoid: In 2014, PhishLabs grabbed headlines after it intercepted a malicious e-mail scam targeting high-end executives of medium and large companies demanding payment of outstanding invoices.

What it does: Provides staff scheduling, timekeeping, payroll, and labor-management services for local counties, senior and long-term care facilities, medical centers, hospitals, and others in 48 states. Its suite of software applications, WorkLinx™, helps organizations manage employee schedule optimization, time and attendance, human resources, payroll, training and certification management, and overall workforce management business analytics. The company also offers mobile workforce management solutions and time clocks that enable employees to view workforce information and to punch in and out of work.

Factoid: In its North Charleston facility, SmartLinx Solutions manufactures thousands of robust, highly sophisticated time clocks that are used in organizations and businesses across the U.S.

Leadership: Alex Zeif, vice president of hardware, based in North Charleston; and Marina Aslanyan, CEO, based in New Jersey

What it does: Delivers custom software development services for the government and commercial sectors, with a focus on health-care IT systems

Factoid: SPARC’s largest project is a VA initiative to reduce the benefits claims backlog for veterans, and its impact was referenced in President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address. This project is going into its fourth year, and the software is used by more than 16,000 people every day.